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Four Reasons Why The Rangers Will Compete For A Playoff Spot

By Cody Smith

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 27: Isiah Kiner-Falefa #9 (L) and Jose Leclerc #62 of the Texas Rangers celebrate after defeating the Seattle Mariners 2-0 during their game at Safeco Field on September 27, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 27: Isiah Kiner-Falefa #9 (L) and Jose Leclerc #62 of the Texas Rangers celebrate after defeating the Seattle Mariners 2-0 during their game at Safeco Field on September 27, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 01: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers celebrates hitting a hits a solo home run with Nomar Mazara #30 against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 1, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/GettyImages)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 01: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers celebrates hitting a hits a solo home run with Nomar Mazara #30 against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 1, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/GettyImages) /

Young But Experienced Lineup

The Rangers are not only going to have a pretty young lineup but one that is experienced as well.

With the expected Opening Day lineup of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Ronald Guzman, Rougned Odor, Asdrubal Cabrera, Elvis Andrus, Joey Gallo, Delino Deshields Jr., Nomar Mazara, and Shin-Soo Choo, the Rangers are only putting two players out there with less than two full seasons in the majors, in Kiner-Falefa and Guzman. Yet six of those players are 26 and under.

If the Rangers can get Odor, Kiner-Falefa, Cabrera, and Choo to continue doing what they were doing last season, see Joey Gallo hit around .225 with the same power and a decrease in strikeouts, get Mazara and Guzman to take the next steps, and then see Delino and Elvis return to their 2016 forms, the offense would be in fantastic shape.

The team also has Willie Calhoun on the bench, who took the off-season very seriously, and is coming into spring in great shape. If someone slips up or gets injured, Calhoun could step right in and take over their spot with a good spring.

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